Supermarket To Be Sued

DIGEST

MIAMI -- The family of a Dade County man who died after drinking a cocaine- laced malt beverage will file suit this week against Sedano`s Supermarkets Inc., the family`s attorney said on Tuesday.

Maximo Rene Menendez, 25, died in August 1990, after spending a month in a coma. Menendez, who had arrived in Miami from Cuba only seven months earlier, bought the Pony Malta beverage at a South Dade Sedano`s.

The lawsuit, which claims that Sedano`s was negligent in protecting Menendez from a defective product, is being filed on behalf of Menendez`s parents, his girlfriend and his daughter, who was born shortly before his death.

A federal criminal investigation into the product tampering case is continuing.